Running-gear for carriages



(No Model.)

G. W. EARLE & G. S. STRAIL.

RUNNING GEAR FOR GARRIAGES.

No. 276,011. Patented Apr. 17,1883.

JNYENTOR WITNESSES;

N. PETERS. Phnlo'uthognphlr. Washinglun. D. C.

UNITED STATES Trio GEORGE EARLE AND GEORGE S. STRAIL, OF TULLY, NEYV YORK.

RUNNING-GEAR FOR CARRIAGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 276,011, dated April 17, 1883,

Application filed January 19, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE \V. EARLE and GEORGE S. STRAIL, ofTully, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Running-Gear for Carriages, &c., of which the following is a specification.

Our invention consists in an improved swiveling extensible reach for road-wagons, carriages, and other vehicles, particularly those in which two longitudinal side springs are employed as a connection between the front and rear axle.

The improvement consists in constructing the reach-bar in a telescopic form and attaching the same in the manner hereinafter explained; in providing the telescopic reach with internal springs, applied as hereinafter described,to prevent the parts from rattling; and in minor features, which will be hereinafter explained.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the runningygear ofa road-wagon having our improvement applied thereto. gitudinal vertical section through the center of the same. on the line w 00. Fig. 4 represents a cross section of the same on the line 3/ y.

Referring to the drawings, A and B represent the rear and forward axles, respectively; 0, the front bolster or transom-bar; D, the two arched or semi-elliptical springs connecting the rear axle and the bolster O; E, the reach connecting the rear axle with the bolster, and F the fifth-wheel, which latter is of substantially the usual construction.

The reach, constituting the first part of our invention, consists of a tubular portion, a, secured rigidly to the rear axle and extending thence forward nearly to the fifth-wheel, and of a rigid portion, b, secured firmly to the bolster G, and extending thence backward within the tube a in such manner as to have both a longitudinal and a rotary motion therein.

The telescopic reach thus constructed, by the rotation of one of its parts in relation to the other, permits the forward axle and bolster to rock in a vertical plane independently of the rear axle, thus permitting the wheels to follow the inequalities in the surface of the ground,

Fig. 2 represents a lon-' Fig. 3 represents a cross-section while the sliding motion of one part within the other permits the axles to approach and recede in such manner that acontraction and elongation of the springs is permitted. The reach also maintains the rear axle and the bolster G at all times parallel with each other, thus maintaining the two springs D constantly at a uniform height and length. This action causes strain upon the two springs to be equalized, insuring the distribution of the weight applied at one side of the vehicle between the two springs, and preventing the body supported thereby from sinking on one side materially lower than on the other.

In order to secure the proper action of the reach, as above described, it is necessary that its ends shall be connected with the rear axle and the bolster in a firm and rigid manner. At the rear end a clip-bolt, c, is seated over the axle and its two ends passed downward through the reach-section a, and secured by nuts on the under side. Diagonal brace-rods d are also secured rigidly to the tube a, near its forward end, and extended thence backward to opposite ends of the rear axle, to which they are attached by bolts, as shown.- The forward end I) of the reach is curved upward and. provided with a plate or flange, c, which is bolted firmly to the rear face of the bolster O. The upper circle or portion of the fifth-wheel F, secured rigidly to the bolster, as usual, is also secured at its rear portion through a clip or socket, f, firmly to the part b. The lower portion or circle of the fifth-wheel is secured to the front axle, as usual, and passes loosely through the clipf, as shown. The arm g, attached rigidly to the part 1), passes beneath the front axle and engages with the lower end of the king-bolt.

The above construction insures a constant parallelism between the rear axle and the bolster, but at the same time permits the parts to move in the various directions heretofore indicated with perfect freedom.

For the purpose of limiting the extension of the reach, and of preventing the separation of the axles in the event of the breakage of the springs or either of them, we provide the inner portion, b, with a reduced neck or portion, 7:, preferably near its rear end, as shown, and insert through the side of the outer portion, a, a

too

screw or pin, i, the end of which enters opposite the neck h, as shown in Fig. 2, so that by engaging with the shoulder or head at the endof said neck it will prevent the further extension of the reach.

In order to prevent the parts a. and b from rattling against each other, We interpose a series of springs or equivalent elastic devices. These springs or cushions may be of any suitable character. It is preferred, however, to provide the inner portion or rod, I), with longitudinal slots 7c, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and to seat therein fiat semi-elliptical springs I. These springs, seated at their ends in the rod or portion 1) and bearing at the middle on the inside of the tube a, effectually prevent noise.

If desired, a packingband of any suitable character may be applied around the forward end of the tubular portion a, to prevent dust and dirt from working therein.

The present invention is restricted to those 'matters and things which are hereinafter claimed; and as to all matters andthings which may be described or shown, but which are not claimed, the right is reserved to make the same the-subject of a future patent.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is- 1. In a carriagereach, the combination of the tubular portion a, the central sliding and swiveling portion, I), and interposed springs or cushions l.

2. In a carriage -reach, the combination of the tubular portion a, the inner sliding portion, 1), provided with grooves 70, and curved springs l, seated in said grooves,asdeseribed and shown.

3. The combination of the rear axle, the front axle and bolster, the longitudinal side springs,

1), and the reach-bar composed of the parts a, 40

I), and 1'.

GEORGE W. EARLE. GEORGE S. STRAIL. Witnesses:

JUDsoN S. \VRIGHT, HENRY V. B. ARNOLD. 

